MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

Kyle Kingsbury's UFC 126 win all the more impressive considering lingering illness

Two days after UFC 126, Kyle Kingsbury was still feeling it.

"It" being an illness that drained him throughout fight week – not any lingering effects of the actual fight itself, which lasted a mere 21 seconds.

Despite a fever that saw him awake to soaked sheets prior to his fight, Kingsbury (10-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) dismantled ground specialist Ricardo Romero (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) to pick up his third consecutive win under the UFC banner.

"I actually had a really bad fever the night before the fight," a still-recovering Kingsbury told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) on Monday. "I did a steam room that I'm not used to doing to cut weight because I came in at about 224.5 (pounds) at the beginning of the week on Tuesday, and I like to be about 220."

With the light heavyweight having to shed a few extra pounds, he headed downstairs to the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, which played host to the Feb. 5 event.

"So they have the nice salon down there at Mandalay Bay, and I hit that up," Kingsbury said. "I was hitting the steam room, and I got a little moisture in my lungs. I was thinking nothing of it, but a couple days went by, and it got worse. ... Later that night I sweat the bed so bad. I had a fever. I'm still recovering from it."

Luckily for Kingsbury, his fight wouldn't be all that taxing. Facing Romero, a fighter who extended his win streak to five with a July victory over Seth Petruzelli at UFC 116, Kingsbury unleashed a quick and explosive barrage of blows that produced the night's quickest stoppage.

"The game plan was to stay away from him, not completely out of range but use my reach and keep him at the end of my punches," Kingsbury said. "If he gets inside of it, which we knew he was going to, throw the knees real quick with uppercuts and get him out of there so I don't get in a clinch scenario."

The strategy worked to perfection.

"The first time he came in, I hit him with a good jab, and it stunned him back a little bit," he said. "He rushed in again a little bit, and I hit with a knee, and that kind set up the end of the fight."

In just 21 seconds.

But Kingsbury, who said he's been eager to end a fight with knees ever since he did it twice early in his career, hasn't exactly celebrated the win with a blowout. He barely made it to a post-fight party he hosted with teammate and fellow UFC 126 fighter Ryan Bader, and that's only because he had a hundred or so friends, family and fans there to see him.

"I haven't really been able to celebrate my win," he said. "I haven't felt that victory yet just because I've been so under the weather."

Kingsbury was a cast member on "The Ultimate Fighter 8" who never won a fight on the show. He also lost to castmate Tom Lawlor at the show's live finale. But yet, the UFC kept him around. Kingsbury, though, knew a single loss likely would be the end of it.

So aside from his training, which recently included a trip to Thailand, he worked on his mental game, as well. He wanted all aspects of his game developed and finely tuned.

"I've been working with a sports psychiatrist for I think the last year and a half," he said. "It's really helped me to become a bit more composed in the cage and at the weigh-ins. It's just focusing on my breathing and things like that. It's helped me a ton anytime I get in a nervous position at the weigh-ins or a square off or getting in there in the octagon right before a fight."

For now, Kingsbury's goal is to get healthy, get back to the gym, and help his teammates get ready for their fights. And though he's taken just three fights in the past 16 months while trying to pick up skills as quickly as possible, he's ready if the UFC calls for an upcoming card.

"I know I have a lot to work on ... but I do feel after a fight that short, there's no reason to go out there and get crazy," he said. "Once I get back out to Arizona on Wednesday, I'll be right there training with C.B. Dollaway and Aaron Simpson getting them get ready for their fights. And if they tell me I have a short-notice fight, I'll be happy to take it."

 

[Shogun Locc]

New York MMA rally a success; Overeem, Shamrock, LaRosa stump for legislation

A small but vocal contingent of New Yorkers is getting out the word about MMA in the Empire State.

The Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York today held a rally to educate the public on the sport and attract mainstream media to the plight of fans who want to see MMA legalized.

The rally, held on the steps of assembly speaker Sheldon Silver's office in Lower Manhattan, drew veteran fighters Frank Shamrock and Tara LaRosa, as well as Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

"It was an awesome turnout for our first rally, and also for a cold day," Coalition founder Stephen Koepfer today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Keopfer said the gathering attracted several local media affiliates, though assembly member Silver, a Democrat often characterized as an opponent of the legalization movement, was in Albany for the New York assembly's 2011 legislative session.

However, the aim of the rally was not to confront local leaders about MMA.

"The goal was to begin to correct the record in the eyes of the public, in terms of the negative propaganda that's been put out there about mixed martial arts," Keopfer said.

In that, Keopfer said the rally was a success. But the Coalition's efforts to educate still have a long way to go.

"There were people passing on the street that didn't even know MMA was illegal," Keopfer said.

The push to legalize suffered a moderate setback this past week when recently elected governor Andrew Cuomo did not include language to legalize MMA in his 2011-2012 budget proposal. The state's previous governor, David Paterson, included such language in his 2010-2011 proposal before it was removed, as one legislator told MMAjunkie.com, because of "strongly divided opinions" on the sport.

The UFC held a rally this past month at storied sports venue Madison Square Garden to announce the results of a self-funded economic impact study that claimed two UFC events could generate $23 million in spending for the Empire State.

UFC president Dana White said feedback on the promotion's current lobbying efforts has been "all positive." But he said he no longer will issue any predictions on when the sport will get legalized.

"New York is just such a crazy place to navigate politically," he said. "We all know it's ridiculous that this thing isn't sanctioned in New York."

The Coalition was founded this past November and is comprised of industry insiders, promoters, journalists and martial-arts teachers based in New York. The group plans to hold more events later this year.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Wanderlei Silva: “I can’t wait to return to the fights”

Former Pride middleweight champion, Wanderlei Silva return to training after a knee surgery and is anxious to return to the octagon. In exclusive interview to TATAME TV, “The Axe Murderer” hasn’t confirmed the fight against Brian Stann, but joked about the challenges fighters like Leben, Sonnen, Belcher and Marquardt made while he was out. “I’d like to say that you have to stop asking to fight me because I think I’m busy for about two years, 2011 and 2012 are full. Whoever wants to face me will have to wait until 2013”, Silva said, talking about Shogun Rua’s next fight, revealing that his protégé Vitor Vianna will fight ormer UFC champion Kevin Randleman, and more:

How are things in Las Vegas?

It’s great. The guys are really great, I’d like to congratulate him, the event had a good organization, there are some of my students competing today, and I could only come to the sparring training of my team today, I’m doing all movements and I’m working hard to see if I return soon. I’m anxious and waiting for things to happen and I can’t wait to return to the fights.

Are you 100% good?

My surgery was done a long time and I’m recovered, I’m doing a good strengthen work, working my stretching too, I’m doing everything so I can develop all my moves on a safety way so I don’t get injured again. It really isn’t nice having to go through a surgery each fight I do (laughs). I’m always returning, it’s always like that. All this thing of recovering and doing things all over again strengthen my way of fighting, I have an unusual way of fighting and I’m realizing it now. These 20 years of fight I have on my back are reflecting now, I’m doing a full repairman and I’ll comeback better.

There’re many guys wanting to confront you: Michael Bisping, Chael Sonnen, Chris Leben… Dana White has made an announcement that you didn’t want to fight Brian Stann. Is it true?

Thanks God the line is very good for me. I’d like to say that you have to stop asking to fight me because I think I’m busy for about two years, 2011 and 2012 are full. Whoever wants to face me will have to wait until 2013. As for my statement, you’ll check it soon on www.wandfc.com (laughs).

When you’ll know this answer?

You’ll can only know this accessing www.wand.com (laughs). These are my “views”, I can only give you a little something (laughs). Yesterday completed two years of the death of master Helio (Gracie), and I’d like, in the name of all Jiu-Jitsu community, all fight community, to remember he was the one who idealized all this, he believed in a thing that existed, but not the way it currently is. He made it as it is and he’s a great example for all of us, I could learn directly from him, but I would like to have had more time with him, but it’s like people say: you get to know the tree for its fruits. Now I know how hard it is for one to bring his son to the trainings, I keep telling mine to train, but he’s lazy and I tell him to go, but the guy made his entire family to become what it is. He was responsible for Royce, Royler, Rickson… He’s the man. He thought many things not exclusively on the mats, and creating all this art, but he thought much about family, relationships. He really was a complete guy and I believe he set a great example to all of us. If you stick to what he said, you’ll get good results, you can see the results on his own family. I’ve just seen Rickson’s son submitting his opponent really fast with a triangle choke, he’s a black belt, I’ve never seen him in person, he brought the guy for his guard, scaled and caught him. He presented a great level of Jiu-Jitsu. I’ll stay here a little longer and maybe I’ll see him again in action. I’d like to congratulate the entire family, that has represented him in great style.

You and Chael Sonnen teased each other a lot on Twitter. You want this fight pretty bad?

It’s hard to tell, I don’t know what is his legal situation now, we’ll wait for his comeback after he solves all his issues. When you do something wrong, eventually it’ll come up. If you are betraying someone or being betrayed, you’ll eventually find it out or get caught. Sometimes we play with the wrong people, we are treated on a way, having people that support you and are always there for you, promotes you and tomorrow you want to mess up with this person. Why is that? It’s a thing that has to be studied because it’s not misconduct, it’s not a isolated happening. But if the guys misconducts, he’ll be like that with everybody, because it’s a personality skill. I’m going through a situation like that, I’m going through everything that an athlete can go through. I’m learning much about it and I’ll show it to you. I’ll tell you all about it when it’s solved, I’ll show you what this person is saying about me, I’ll show you what he said he was doing for me. Then you’ll say: no, I don’t believe that the guy said he did that to you (laughs). It hurt me a lot, I got really upset. I can’t be false, I’m too original, I say what I have to say. If I see an enemy right there, I’ll recognize it, I won’t go there and shake the guy’s hand. People don’t get it sometimes, but I can’t be false. I won’t play their game, I have my own way of being. Honesty, nowadays, is considered to be a good thing for a person to be. Be careful with the people around you and keep your eyes wide opened because these people may take something important away from you.

Shogun will defend his belt in March. You’ve always praised Shogun and recently said that, if someday Shogun wanted to become you, know you want to be just like him…

Shogun is a complete fighter. His Muay Thai skills are extraordinary, he is a wonderful fighter on the ground. Sometimes it ain’t that difficult to take Shogun down, but it’s really hard to keep him there. Lyoto won with a small advantage because he knew what Shogun would do, and Lyoto is great on the ground. So I think that Shogun will do great and will bring another win home.

Lyoto will face Randy Couture, and when you arrived here in American you trained with Couture, who’s uses much strategy on his fights, and Lyoto has a game that few can get. How do you this mashup?

I think it’ll be a good fight. I met Couture here and I told him that, it’s for things like this I’m his fan. A guy at his age fighting Lyoto… He’s crazy, man! Lyoto is fucking hard to face, he’s much technical. I think that if Lyoto had attacked twice more, he wouldn’t be on the dangerous position which he currently is after this fight with Rampage. He was more efficient, but on the two first round he should’ve attacked at least once more so that he’d win the fight. In the end I think he actually won. He just has to done a little bit more, he has to show his game more, he has to go for it because he has all the technique on his hands, he’s quick, he has the heart and everything else he has to own, I think he just have to try more. I’m sure he handles the job and he’ll knockout the guys like he used to.

Strikeforce will have a heavyweight GP now. When you hear the word GP, do you miss Pride?

GP is a different thing, man. I think they have the four good heavyweights, who brought the media’s attention to Strikeforce. The four athletes are complete and I think that if there was a favorite there, it’d be Werdum because he’s beaten all three others. He’ll face Overeem and I think he’ll beat the guy up. Honestly, I’m not sure that Fedor will leave Bigfoot behind, I really don’t know. Bigfoot is a tough guy and he’s huge and he’s not fat, he looks like a 170lbs fighter. He’s very professional and he’s fucking tough. I don’t know if Werdum will confront Bigfoot or not.

At your gym, the greatest bet is Vitor Vianna, and we also follow him for a long time. Do you believe that soon he might be on Ultimate? What he’s lacking and what are your plans for him?

2011 will be a great year for the athletes of my team, it’s beginning with our three best fighters: Vitor Vianna, Michael Costa and Jorge Lopes, and they’ll fight against former UFC fighters in an event here (in Las Vegas). Vitor will fight Kevin Randleman, Jorge Lopes will fight John Alessio, and Michael Costa will fight a guy that has 40 or 50 fights on his professional record, I can’t remember his name right now. They’ll fight on an event here in Las Vegas. Two will fight in April and Jorge’s fighting in May. Here the athletes can fight often, they’re able to show their work, because sometimes this part is difficult, to have enough events for everybody to fight. There’re many events here and they need athletes like you… There’s so much talent hidden. And that’s what I try to do: I try to give them opportunities for this talented guys, I try to make them fight, because sometimes with four or five fights you can change your whole life. That’s what happened with (Junior dos Santos) Cigano. He’s a talent that just came up out of nowhere. He has like twelve fights, but the last five or six fights that made him this big. If you beat five or six good fighters, you’ll change your life, right? And I want to give opportunities to these new athletes so that they show their work and someday reach my level, and also to teach the things I know, my technique, what I know about fighting and all of this.

What can the fans hope of you in 2011?

There’s so much they can expect from me (laughs)… I can talk for an hour just to answer this one (laughs). I’m training, I’m coming back, I’ve gone under a complicated knee surgery, it was even more than I was expecting it to be, and that’s why it’s taking me so long to return, but I’m 34 now, so it takes a little longer (laughs). I’m doing a good preparation, I’m back on the trainings, I’m doing strengthen work for a long time, and I’m much determined. With God’s help, I know I can have another title shot, to become champion again, then you’ll see the result of my determination. Every day I give another step forwards to my goal, and my goal is to be a champion again. Every day that I wake up, take my supplements, train and sleep early, I’m moving one step forwards my goal. Nowadays I’m much more determined than I used to be because I have to be like this now. I have all my background and I know I’m moving one step closer to be among the best of the world and that’s my goal. That’s what I’ll do this year, but the year’s only beginning, so I believe you should never give up on your dreams, go for it, because the only loser is the one who gives it all up. If you keep trying, someday you’ll give a show, but if you give it up or if you don’t even try, it’s hard.

I’d like to thank all the guys who send me messages via Twitter, on my website, in all networks. I like to thank all this good vibes you send me, you don’t realize how good is for me to get all this positive vibrations you send me. My Twitter is @wandfc, you can send me a message there if you want to, follow me on Twitter because sometimes I published some good things there. I’ve just remembered… My goal for this year is that: there’re so many guys who are mad about fighting, follow it, watch it, but they’ve never done one martial arts fight on their lives, so if you like fights and find it cool, look for a gym near your house, go there and say: I’ve watched Wanderlei’s video at TATAME TV, and he said I could come here and do a free class. Go there, take a class to see if the teacher is good or not, and if you like it, go and subscribe. But, at least, try it once. I’ve been having experience with many people that have never fought before, and they take one or two classes and they fall in love for it. You can be one of those. Through the martial arts you may reach your goal, that can be losing weight, learning how to fight, be a professional or just if you want to find a girlfriend (laughs). Now I’m married! So you can reach all your goals with the martial arts. I say that because it has changed my life completely, and on a good way. But the guys don’t get it. Martial arts are like college, you can use it as a profession, a job. And a pretty nice job, I’d say. Working with martial arts is pretty interesting. Go there, train… If the guy doesn’t let you train, send me a message on my Twitter, that I’ll talk to the guy because he has to let you do a free class, not ten, but one. A big hug for you all and God bless you.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Forrest Griffin possibly sidelined for six months with foot injury

This past Saturday night marked the first time former UFC light heavyweight champ Forrest Griffin had stepped foot inside the Octagon in a little more than a year. And, according to the list of medical suspensions issued on the heels of UFC 126, it appears it may be another six months months before Griffin has an opportunity to do so again.

Griffin was among ten fighters listed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission who will receive some sort of mandated vacation from the ring based on injuries sustained at last weekend’s event. Specifically, Griffin damaged his right root at some point in his co-headlining bout with Rich Franklin and will have to receive clearance from a doctor if hoping to compete again before early August.

Also receiving a notable break from action was Jake Ellenberger who received a sentence similar to Griffin’s after injuring both of his hands en route to a split decision win over Carlos Eduardo Rocha.

Here is a complete list of UFC 126 medical suspensions as reported by the NSAC:

Kenny Robertson – Suspended until 3/23/11 with no contact until 3/8/11
Ricardo Romero – Suspended until 3/23/11 with no contact until 3/8/11
Gabe Ruediger – Suspended until 4/7/11 with no contact until 4/7/11 (Right Eyebrow Laceration and TKO)
Chad Mendes – Suspended until 3/23/11 with no contact until 3/8/11
Michihiro Omigawa – Suspended until 4/7/11 with no contact until 4/7/11 (Right Eyebrow Laceration and Head Blows)
Paul Kelly – Suspended until 3/23/11 with no contact until 3/8/11 (Right Eyebrow Laceration)
Jake Ellenberger – Must have both hands X-Rayed, must be cleared by an orthopedist if positive or no contest until 8/5/11
Carlos Eduardo Rocha – Suspended until 3/23/11 with no contact until 3/8/11 (Scalp Laceration)
Forrest Griffin – Must have right foot X-Rayed, must be cleared by orthopedist or no contest until 8/5/11
Vitor Belfort – Suspended until 3/23/11 with no contact until 3/8/11

 

[Shogun Locc]

UPDATE: Rob McCullough named as first lightweight in Bellator Season 4 Tournament

With welterweight and featherweight fields already established, Bellator Fighting Championships appears to have turned its attention to revealing the eight 155-pounders competing this season for a six-figure paycheck and an opportunity to take on one of the top lightweights in MMA today, Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez.

The first name mentioned by the promotion as participating in the Season 4 tournament is former WEC title-holder “Razor” Rob McCullough. The 19-6 Californian went 2-0 in 2010 after parting ways with WEC and holds past wins over Rich Crunkilton, Marcus Hicks, Ryan Healy, and Nam Phan. Eleven of his wins have come by way of TKO.

UPDATE: According to friend/manager Ken Pavia by way of Twitter it appears McCullough will make his Bellator debut on March 12.

“You’re definitely going to see a new and improved version of ‘Razor’ Rob in Bellator,” explained McCullough. “I have a family now so I’m not out running around like I was before. I’m more conditioned and focused than ever. I’ve completely rededicated myself to this sport. This is my career. I’m supporting a little boy and a wife now. It’s become bigger than just me.”

McCullough became a father in March with wife, and former Penthouse Pet, Lexxi Tyler.

“I’ve been training for the last six months straight, twice a day, every day,” he continued on his bid in the tournament. “I’ve been adding new elements to my game, tweaking things and working on old techniques. I’ve got nothing but positive people surrounding me and I’m ready to get back to the top.”

Though no other lightweights have been officially attached to Season 4 other 155-pound fighters on the Bellator roster with the credentials for a tournament run include Toby Imada, Patricky Freire, and Pat Curran.

Bellator will kick things off with the first event of 2011 on March 5 in Lemoore, California with the Season 4 debut on MTV2.

 

[SLRider510]

Rashad smokin crack?
"he beat machida.... i beat machida" Fast forward to 4:49



LOL rashad is trippin!!!

 

[drunkaholic707]

 

[Shogun Locc]

Retirement Not in Davis’ Plans

The explosive right hand of Jeremy Stephens might have removed Marcus Davis from the UFC payroll, but 37-year-old Maine native has no plans to retire.

Since his third-round knockout loss to Stephens at UFC 125 “Resolution” on New Year’s Day, the former professional boxer returned home to spend time with his family and focus on the growth of his gym. He has also made it a point to pore over flaws in his game in hopes of future improvement.

“[I’m] studying always, studying things that I did wrong, studying things that I could do to improve. That’s the thought,” Davis told Sherdog.com. “That’s what our whole job as human beings is -- to always look to get better at everything, regardless of if it’s fighting or being a parent or whatever our job is. Becoming stronger, smarter -- that’s what we do.”

The Irish-American standout appeared to be getting the best of Stephens in the early going before the decisive blow was struck at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“I don’t even understand how anybody could even say [it was a] close fight. If you watched the fight, up until he actually hit me and I went out, he never landed a punch other than when we were clinched against the cage,” he said. “I felt like I was very much in control.”

Davis said his manager, Joe Cavallaro, is in preliminary discussions with at least two organizations regarding future fights. The Team Sityodtong representative said that a promotion in the United States, as well as one in the U.K., has expressed interest in his services.

“My job is to train and prepare for fights,” Davis said. “It’s my manager’s job to book those fights. I know a lot of interest has come from the U.K., so we are talking to people over there. I don’t know what’s gonna happen.”

“The Irish Hand Grenade” had a lengthy run at welterweight in the UFC before dropping down to 155 pounds for his Jan. 1 clash with Stephens. From September 2006 to January 2008, he reeled off a six-fight winning streak in the Octagon before dropping a unanimous decision to Mike Swick at UFC 85. “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 2 alum has fallen on hard times recently, however, losing four of his last five bouts. With those struggles in mind, Davis holds no grudge regarding his release from MMA’s premier organization.

“I haven’t performed my best in the last year and a half, and, therefore, they gotta kick me out to make room for the guys that are performing their best,” he said. “I don’t hold anything against the UFC. I’m still friends with [UFC President] Dana [White] and [matchmaker] Joe Silva and all those guys. It was business. It wasn’t personal at all.”

When Davis does return to the cage, he plans on remaining at 155 pounds for the foreseeable future. While fighting at 170, Davis said he would often endure as much as a 45-pound cut to make weight. The cut to 155 will be much less grueling from what he said is his current weight of 180 pounds.

“I’m not actually entertaining any offers at 70,” he said. “[Lightweight] is honestly where I should have been my entire career, and that’s where I’m gonna be. Right now, it’s not difficult for me maintaining and staying close to that weight.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Villante: Football’s ‘10 Times’ More Dangerous Than MMA

After tryouts with various NFL teams didn’t work out, Gian Villante decided to try something he sees as safer: MMA.

“I feel like football’s 10 times more dangerous and savage than MMA is,” Villante said Monday on the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show. “I’ve got 10 times worse injuries playing football than I did with MMA.”

The 25-year-old native of Wantagh, N.Y., was a standout linebacker at Hofstra University. Since transitioning to fighting, he has compiled a 7-1 record and earned prospect status as Ring of Combat’s heavyweight champion. He fights Chad Griggs on Saturday in an alternate bout for Strikeforce’s heavyweight tournament.

“In [MMA], we have weight divisions. We see the shots that are coming,” Villante said. “In football, you don’t see it. It’s a 400-pound guy coming as fast as a car can move sometimes, and you don’t see him. He’s coming to clean your clock, and you’re not even looking at him. … That’s why these guys are getting these head injuries and shoulders are dislocating and all that stuff.”

Villante has cleaned a few clocks himself. All seven of his wins have been finishes, including a knockout via a head kick. Clearly the athleticism he used on the football field has translated to the ring.

“If we don’t feel like we’re getting the right opportunity somewhere, why not take your talent somewhere else? Football players, most of us are pretty good athletes,” Villante said. “Big, strong guys that are explosive, fast athletes. In mixed martial arts, that bodes well for knockout power.”

Of course, Villante was not just a football player. He also wrestled at Hofstra.

“I think wrestling’s very important too,” he said. “If you get a guy who just played football and has no wrestling experience, you’re going to have some trouble in there. I think that’s where it kind of helped me mix in and start off my career real fast and in the right direction.”

Villante has a two-year, six-fight deal with Strikeforce. Although he sees his future in the light heavyweight division, he said the alternate matchup against Griggs and a possible slot in the heavyweight tournament was too good to pass up.

“Chad Griggs isn’t a huge heavyweight,” Villante explained. “He’s 235, I believe. Nothing too big. He’s a guy that I think is a good fight for me.”

Griggs is coming off an upset win over Bobby Lashley last August. Villante was impressed with the fact that Griggs was not scared of his larger opponent.

“He’s a guy that comes to fight,” Villante said. “I’m not going to intimidate him if I flex at him because I guess Bobby Lashley is a little bigger than I am. ... I think you can expect fireworks because we’re two guys that have pretty much finished every fight we’ve been in.”

Villante is expecting another finish and another win on Saturday as well.

“Like a football linebacker, if I see a hole, I’m going to go through. If I see an opening, if I see a guy hurt, I’m going to finish it,” Villante said. “If I get on him and I can catch him with something early, then I’m not going to take it easy. I’m going to try to finish the fight right away.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

BAMMA 5 Card Official with 12 Fights

The bill for BAMMA 5 is now full with 12 fights, as the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts has added two new main card attractions to the Feb. 26 event. Joining the card is a pair of middleweight scraps pitting Alex Makhonin against Xavier Foupa-Pokam and John Phillips against Jean-Francois Lenogue.

The event, which goes down at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England, will be headlined by a welterweight title clash between hometown favorite Paul Daley and Deep champion Yuya Shirai. In the co-main event, former UFC heavyweight champ Ricco Rodriguez will square off with “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 alum James McSweeney in a heavyweight tilt.

Once-beaten in nearly three years of professional competition, Makhonin rides a seven-fight win streak into his contest with “Professor X.” The Lancaster Morecambe MMA product has finished 75 percent of his career victims and has never been knocked out.

In Foupa-Pokam, Makhonin faces a UFC vet on a two-year skid. After running off seven consecutive victories, the Frenchman has lost six of his last seven fights since making his UFC debut in April of 2009. The 28-year-old dropped bouts to Dennis Kang and Drew McFedries before being released by the promotion. Though Foupa-Pokam rebounded with a victory in his native country in March 2010, he would go on to lose three straight fights, most recently dropping a bout to fellow UFC exile Lucio Linhares.

Phillips is a 25-year-old Welshman who made his pro debut in 2005, winning six of his first seven fights. A veteran of the now-defunct Cage Rage organization, Phillips has won five consecutive bouts heading into his fight at BAMMA 5. Most recently, he made short work of James Zikic, knocking his fellow Brit out in just 94 seconds at BAMMA 4 in September.

A black belt in judo, Lenogue is on a skid similar to his countryman Foupa-Pokam. Though the 38-year-old comes off a victory in his last outing, he has lost five of his last six. A veteran of Pride and Shooto competition, Lenogue also works as an actor and stuntman in films. The Frenchman owns eight of his 14 career victories by knockout or submission.

BAMMA 5
February 26, 2011
Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester, England

BAMMA Welterweight Title Fight
Paul Daley vs. Yuya Shirai

Ricco Rodriguez vs. James McSweeney
Alex Makhonin vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam
John Phillips vs. Jean-Francois Lenogue
Daniel Thomas vs. A.J. Wenn
Lee Barnes vs. Mohsen Bahari
Rob Mills vs. Lee Cohoon
Jason Ball vs. Peter Duncan
Paul Cook vs. Tom Maguire
Tim Newman vs. Diego Vital
Costas Doru vs. Liam James
Frankie Slater vs. Jeremy Petley

 

[Shogun Locc]

Unbeaten ‘Cupcake’ Woodard Official for Bellator Tourney

The field for Bellator Fighting Championships’ season four lightweight tournament is now half full, as the promotion today made official the participation of undefeated prospect Lloyd “Cupcake” Woodard.

Woodard, 26, has not yet competed in the Bellator cage, but has amassed a perfect 10-0 record in his two years as a pro. The Montana native has finished eight of his opponents, including six inside the first round, and holds notable victories over World Extreme Cagefighting veteran Ryan Healy and Bellator season one tournament competitor Alonzo Martinez.

As with all of Bellator’s tournaments, the winner of the lightweight field will receive $100,000 and a shot at the division’s current champion -- in this case, reigning lightweight ace Eddie Alvarez. Woodard says a matchup with Alvarez would be “like fighting my idol,” but he will first have to navigate through a bracket loaded with dangerous opposition.

“It doesn’t matter who I fight in the first round of this tournament,” Woodard said in a release. “I’m pretty sure they’re going to be a really tough fighter, so that’s what I’m preparing for. I just can’t wait to get in that cage and show people what I can do. Every time I fight, more and more people are able to see me in exciting fights. The more I fight, the more people will see me, and the longer I'll be able to compete in this sport.”

Woodard joins former WEC lightweight champion “Razor” Rob McCullough, season two semi-finalist Carey Vanier and unbeaten collegiate wrestling convert Michael Chandler on the list of fighters confirmed for the eight-man draw. Other participants expected to be announced are Toby Imada, Ferrid Kheder, Marcin Held and Patricky Freire.

Quarterfinal matchups have yet to be revealed for the tournament, which is expected to begin in March.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Demarce Steps In for Johnson, Meets Whitson at MFC 28

Maximum Fighting Championship veteran Curtis Demarce will replace the injured Kajan Johnson and face Richie Whitson in a lightweight tussle at MFC 28 “Supremacy.”

According to a press release issued Wednesday by the promotion, Johnson suffered a separated shoulder and therefore will be unable to compete at the event.

The event, which goes down Feb. 25 at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, will air live in North America on HDNet and will be headlined by a lightweight title scrap between champion Antonio McKee and challenger Drew Fickett. The promotion’s vacant light heavyweight title will also be on the line that night, as Ryan Jimmo squares off with Dwayne Lewis.

Demarce steps in on late notice riding a seven-fight win streak, most recently earning a split decision victory over Dominick Blais at Canadian Fighting Championship 6 in October. Prior to that fight, the Canadian made his promotional debut with the MFC in September, submitting Tyson Steele with a triangle choke in the second round. “The Demon” is also a veteran of King of the Cage and The Fight Club competition and owns over half of his career wins by submission.

Once-beaten in his three-year professional career, Whitson enters his bout with Demarce having won four straight fights. A product of Team Quest in Temecula, Calif., “Hell Boy” will make his MFC debut against Demarce. Whitson has finished seven of his 10 career victims and has never been knocked out or submitted.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Thiago Silva's status in doubt for UFC 130, "Rampage" Jackson could face Rashad Evans

Light heavyweight slugger Thiago Silva (15-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) may soon be forced out of a planned meeting with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (31-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at UFC 130.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has confirmed with multiple sources close to the event that Silva's participation in the May 28 card is in jeopardy, despite the fighter's insistence that all is well on the home front.

However, multiple sources confirmed with MMAjunkie.com that preliminary discussions with Rashad Evans (15-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) to replace Silva are underway, though it's far too early to consider the rematch a done deal.

MMA Weekly.com was the first to report Silva's potential withdrawal, though representatives for both Jackson and Evans could not confirm the change. The reason for Silva's withdrawal also remains unknown.

Featuring a lightweight title rematch between champ Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, UFC 130 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Despite the reports, Silva today told Brazilian MMA website Tatame that he is "not injured" and "looking forward to fight Rampage."

UFC brass have yet to make an official announcement, and the Jackson vs. Silva matchup is still listed as UFC 130's co-main event on the company's official website.

Of significant potential interest, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has yet to release the drug screens from the night of Silva's most recent fight, a UFC 125 win over Brandon Vera that took place Jan. 1 in Las Vegas.

Nevada State Athletic Commision executive director Keith Kizer confirmed with MMAjunkie.com that the commission is still investigating at least one sample from the event. While Kizer could not confirm whether or not one of those samples belonged to Silva, the NSAC executive did confirm that Silva was among the UFC 125 fighters who submitted a pre-fight screen.

Former light heavyweight champ Evans was due to meet Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at next month's UFC 128 before a sprained MCL suffered in training forced him to withdraw. In his place, Jon Jones, a training partner and red-hot prospect, was slotted for the title bout following a dominant win over Ryan Bader at this past Saturday's UFC 126.

Jackson recently told MMAjunkie.com that he declined the March 19 title bout because he did not have the time to prepare properly for Rua.

 

[$migg Cant Rap]

Rashad smokin crack?
"he beat machida.... i beat machida" Fast forward to 4:49



LOL rashad is trippin!!!

lmao he's lost his mind. & IMO, if i was scoring the fight (& i'd rather score it from a 10-5 perspective) page didnt really do shit that fight. machida was the only one who did anything, who did any damage. & yeah, it came late.

now as for jon jones-- despite the fact that i dont like him because of his "i love snitching" "god is good" nature, people have made many comparisons of him to anderson silva.

most of these comparisons are due to both of their unorthodox & exciting striking techniques. the difference is, jones is just throwing out wild unorthodox powerful shit that has a chance of landing... sure, its flashy. but anderson is throwing his shit out with deadly precision. its precise & violent. no one is doing what anderson is doing right now.

jones has better wrestling & probably more strength than silva.. but silva has better subs. it would be interesting to see how it plays out if they ever fight. i think if jones tried pulling those stand-up maneuvers on anderson, the fight would be over real quick.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Sengoku champion Jorge Santiago "dying to come back" to the U.S.

World Victory Road's middleweight champion Jorge Santiago (23-8 MMA, 7-1 SRC) could easily have a pair of "Fight of the Year" awards under his belt, but his two legendary clashes with Kazuo Misaki under the Sengoku Raiden Championships banner went largely unnoticed by U.S. fans.

If Santiago has his way, that will never be the case again.

The UFC and Strikeforce veteran recently negotiated his release from Sengoku and hopes to land a role with a U.S.-based organization in the coming months.

"I'm dying to come back," Santiago on Friday told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "There's so many guys that are putting on a good show in Strikeforce and the UFC. Hopefully this year I'll come back to the U.S. and do a good job here, too."

U.S. fans likely best remember Santiago for a three-fight stint under the UFC banner in 2006 in which the Brazilian defeated Justin Levens but was then defeated by Chris Leben and Alan Belcher, which lead to his release from the promotion.

Since that time, Santiago has racked up an 11-1 record, which includes a 2007 single-night Strikeforce middleweight grand prix championship via wins over Trevor Prangley and Sean Salmon.

Santiago's current win streak also includes the two wins over Misaki, as well as victories over MMA notables Siyar Bahadurzada, Logan Clark, Jeremy Horn, Mamed Khalidov, Kazuhiro Nakamura and Andrei Semenov, among others.

World Victory Road officials have yet to announce Santiago's release, but sources close to the promotion indicated to MMAjunkie.com that the company is waiting on the return of Santiago's middleweight title belt before confirming the champion is vacating the strap.

In the meantime, Santiago said he's already in advanced negotiations with a U.S.-based promotion.

"They've called me," Santiago said. "They put in an offer, but we're still talking. We have some contract issues, but hopefully in three more months or so, some good new will pop up."

Multiple sources confirmed Santiago was referring to Strikeforce, and that a deal may be imminent. However, Santiago did not rule out a potential return to the UFC's octagon.

Santiago's co-managers, Malki Kawa and Glenn Robinson of Authentic Sports Management, declined to comment on their client's status.

U.S.-based fans of the Japanese MMA scene are no doubt hoping for a quick negotiation process – not to mention a repeat of Santiago's thrilling five-round matches with Misaki.

The American Top Team product insists he's got a few classic fights left in his system.

"That's what I'm trying to do: go inside the ring, perform 100 percent and leave everything inside of the ring," Santiago said.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal Expects June Return, Open To Fighting All At 205

Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal has been on the sidelines for the past several months recovering from knee surgery, but it appears the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion is looking to come back soon.

Lawal told MMAWeekly.com that his recovery is going well and he plans to make his return to the cage towards the Summer season at a yet to be named event.

“I’m healing great,” he said of his recovery. “(I’m) looking to fight in June.”

And as for potential opponents, “King Mo” won’t discriminate. The flashy light heavyweight is open to all comers in the division he once held the Strikeforce title in.

“Anyone at 205,” he said about potential opponents for his return.

Lawal was last seen fighting Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante at Strikeforce: Houston in August of last year. The outing wasn’t Lawal’s best, falling to Cavalcante via TKO and losing his light heavyweight title in the process. The loss was his first in eight professional fights.

Since that time, Lawal has been healing from the knee surgery that was required as a result of the fight against Cavalcante. Even though there is no opponent lined up for him yet, you can bet “King Mo” will be watching the light heavyweight title fight between the man who took his title, Cavalcante, and former Pride and UFC standout Dan Henderson. That match-up is scheduled to take place as the main event on the March 5 Strikeforce fight card in Columbus, Ohio.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Kenny Florian Gunning for Top Contender in 145lb Debut, Then Aldo in Brazil

Now that former UFC lightweight contender Kenny Florian has made the decision to move down to 145lbs, he’s wasting no time looking for a fight.

The former “Ultimate Fighter” season 1 cast member is looking to return in June, and he wants the top competitor the featherweight division can offer.

Speaking to MMAWeekly.com, Florian’s manager Malki Kawa of Authentic Sports Management says that part of the reason the fighter made the move down to 145lbs was because of a proposed fight with Jose Aldo from last year.

The UFC had offered Aldo the chance to move up to 155lbs to face Florian, but ultimately his managers and trainers opted to keep him at featherweight for a little while longer. Meanwhile, it’s a fight that’s stuck in the head of Florian’s manager this whole time.

“We went down to 45 because that fight with Aldo was one that stuck in my head, and I’m just like Dana White, I want to make the biggest and the best fights that I possibly can, and I’m thinking Kenny Florian vs. Jose Aldo one day, I think that’s a pretty big fight,” Kawa said.

While Florian knows he won’t get Aldo for his first fight in the UFC’s featherweight division, he would be happy to face him for his second fight after defeating a top contender.

“A top contender. Whoever the No. 1 contender is at that point is the guy I’d like to get,” Kawa stated. “What would be my ideal situation for me is for him to get a fight in June, whoever the No. 1 contender is, win that fight, and then hopefully set something up for Brazil with (Jose) Aldo if the UFC’s up for it.”

Florian has trained and traveled to Brazil several times throughout his career and even speaks fluent Portuguese, so fighting in the country, even against one of their own, is still a fight he would jump at.

Regardless of who he faces, Florian is just chomping at the bit to get back in there. He will start his road back soon by getting into full training now that his knee is healthy.

As far as a timeline for his return, Florian is still on pace to step back into the Octagon in June, possibly with a slot on the UFC 131 card in Vancouver that has been rumored.

“I think it’s going to be June, but it’s not set,” Kawa said about Florian’s next fight. “I think he’ll be ready to fight in June.”

Florian will soon head back into training and then get ready for his return to action, this time at 145lbs.

 

[Shogun Locc]

 

[Shogun Locc]

 

[Shogun Locc]

Condit in doubt for UFC 127

Welterweight contender Carlos (The Natural Born Killer) Condit is on the verge of withdrawing from his UFC 127 bout against Chris Lytle, sources tell Sportsnet.

Condit (26-5) has apparently suffered a knee injury and it looks as if it will hamper his performance in the bout.

While many fighters often compete at less than 100 per cent, this situation would have Condit at a massive disadvantage.

He is coming off a first-round knockout performance against Dan Hardy at UFC 120 and was hoping to continue his trek up the welterweight rankings vs. Lytle, who is riding a four-fight winning streak, the last against former welterweight champion Matt Serra at UFC 119.

UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch will take place Feb. 26, 2011 at the ACER Arena in Sydney, Australia.